Welcome to Magazine Monday and the first day of Stamp It! Cards Week! The one thing I love about stampers is their enthusiasm. While I was reading through the 330+ comments from Friday’s post, I laughed out loud when I stumbled across Sharon Totton’s motto for stamping and for life:

“If it sits still long enough, Stamp It. If it doesn’t, chase it down and Stamp It.”

Now why didn’t we think of that tagline? Genius! It really sums up our latest edition of Stamp It! Cards. In addition to the 152 inspiring designs, we’ve even included fun sections like “Tips from the Go-to Gals”, “Stamp It! 3 Ways” and “Say it with Stamps”. We’ll touch on each of these sections this week, as well as show some amazing stamped cards from the magazine.

Speaking of amazing stamped cards…when we were discussing who should be featured as our designer spotlight for this week, all we had to do was look at the editorial spreadsheet for Stamp It! Cards. One name kept popping up over and over. Actually 12 times! Yes, Kimberly Crawford has 12 gorgeous cards in this issue. Quite a feat considering her first ever publication was last year’s Stamp It! Cards. How’s that for a full circle moment! Go Kimberly!

Kimberly Crawford

1. Where did you grow up?

On a lake, outside a small town called Moose Lake, MN. But as of 12 days ago, I became a resident of Iowa.

2. Do you work outside the home? If so, what do you do?

No, I have the privilege of staying home with my newly four-year-old son.

3. If a movie were to be made of your life, who would you cast to play the part of you?

I am going to continue the Jennifer Garner trend because if she was busy working on a film, I could flirt with her gorgeous hubby Ben Affleck.

4.What song would you choose as the theme song for your life?

A theme song? I really can’t think of one, but I have a song for everything. I am one of those people.

5.What is one thing most people would be surprised to hear about you?

That I used to be a high school softball coach and can throw a softball 72 mph, over hand. I also love to golf and watch hockey. I am a sports nut.

6. What/who inspired you to start paper crafting?

My husband. He mentioned this “stamping thing” his mom did when we were getting married. She sent me some supplies and the rest is history. And I don’t let him forget it.

7.What is your biggest paper crafting challenge?

Finding time to experiment with all the crazy ideas in my head.

8. If you were only allowed two items to create a card beside cardstock and adhesive, what would they be?

A stamp and watermark ink. You can do a ton with backgrounds, cutting images out and mounting them with foam tape.

9. What is your favorite occasion or holiday to paper craft and why?

Christmas. I am a Christmas girl at heart. Bring it on in October!

10. How would you describe your style?

Fresh and classy with a tendency towards shabby chic and cutesy on some days.

Kimberly's Take Care Card, p. 53

11. When is your favorite time to craft?

Naptime and bedtime for my little man. If I didn’t have a four-year-old son for an alarm clock, I would stay up until all hours of the night because after 10:30 p.m., I really get creative.

My husband sweetly supports my obsession passion. He looks at all my projects and provides wonderful feedback. My son has his own stamps and ink pads, and he even knows to clean the stamps off between colors!

14. When it comes to calls and deadlines, how do you keep yourself organized?

Outlook on my computer. I enter them all in and then a little reminder pops up every time I check my e-mail. I also keep a printed copy of calls on my desk. You can never have too many reminders or lists!

15. Do you remember what Paper Crafts issue your first project appeared in? How has your style changed since then?

It was last year’s Stamp It! Cards, and what a thrill! I am still a pretty simple girl, but I like to think I have learned how to add better finishing touches.

Kimberly's Always Card, p. 79

16. Have you contributed to any design teams in the past or present? If so, which ones?

18.Do you have any advice/tips for someone who’s never been published or who wants to submit for the first time?

Submit, submit, submit. And then submit some more.

19. Out of your 12 cards in Stamp It! Cards, do you have a favorite? Please talk about the inspiration/design/techniques for one or more of your cards in this publication.

It would be my Live the Sweet Life Card from p. 17. I love how the card came together. I had this gorgeous peach image that I wanted to use, but didn’t have the correct color markers. So, I had to get creative. I knew I had the right color ink, but how could the ink be applied? Then the thought of letter pressing came to mind. Yay for the results! Sometimes I think I have too much stuff. My best ideas come from being forced to be clever with what is on my desk.

Kimberly's Live the Sweet Life Card, p. 17

20. Do you have a blog or online gallery? If so, please provide the URL.

Thanks, Kimberly! Our friends at Flourisheswere nice enough to donate three sets of their Cherries & Peaches stamp set – the same set Kimberly used to create her card above. Please leave a comment and I’ll pick three random winners to receive this set, plus a copy of Stamp It! Cards. All comments must be received bymidnight (MST) on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Three winners will take home this gorgeous stamp set!

Happy Monday!
Kelly

P.S. Cath is featuring Technique Tuesday in her Moxie Monday post today! Head on over for a chance to win six different stamp sets!

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303 comments

I agree with Kimberly – I think the “Live the Sweet Life” card is my fave as well, but all three cards are beautiful. I love the Flourishes set and the Stamp It! Cards magazine – thanks so much for the chance to win!

Beautiful cards, Kimberly, how do you get the ribbons to sit so perfectly? My favourite card would have to be the peach one, love the way you`ve coloured the beautiful image, thanks for the chance to win that awesome set of stamps

Oh let the fun begin! Kim you are one true inspiration! As you my first card ever published was in the Stamp It Mag(this current) one and I love creating nothing makes me smile bigger then finishing a card and being able to share it! Congrats on your 12 beautiful cards 🙂

Gorgeous Kimberley – congratulations on all of the cards in this issue. I loved your cards on the Flourishes Blog and these are just Divine! Your work is exceptional and brings inspiration to so many of us! Congratulations – this is so well deserved! {{{hugs}}}

I LOVE this stamp set and the card Kimberly made is my favorite from this issue. I just love what Kimberly does with ribbon! I need to practice tying bows like that! Thanks for the chance to win a prize. (Pick me! Pick me! Anne, yourmainestamper

Congratulations Kimberly! I love the cards featured here and love how you came to create the sweet Life Peaches card! Very clever…and beautiful! Such a gorgeous stamp set from Flourishes. I would love to win one!
It was nice getting to know more about you. My goal this year is to get published, so I guess I had better submit, submit, submit!

Nice to “meet” you, Kimberly! I love your cards and as someone who has just begun submitting it’s really encouraging to see how far one can come in a year’s time. Congrats to you for getting so many of your beautiful cards published!

Kimberly, Simplicity is the name of the most elegant. Your cards are beautiful and I share your fruity obsession for stamping all things to make them shine. My husband says I’m a bit fruity and although he supports me, thinks there must be an artistic gene that makes us stampers all a little nuts as well. Keep up the great work, hope to see more soon, and thanks for sharing inspiration that brings obsession to a peak yet again in us all!

Congrats to you Kimberly! I love your fresh style and have watched your creativity blossom. I want to be you when I grow up. I can’t wait to get my copy of the issue so I can drool over the fabulous creations. 12 cards!!! Whoo hoo.

Way to go…12 published in one magazine…yeah!!! Fun to read all the questions and answers…love the one about submit, submit and submit some more……now I have to run and out and get that magazine…..as soon as it quits snowing!!!

Your cards are fabulous and so inspiring. WoW! You rocked this issue with 12 of your cards published. That is so inspiring and this even helps me to think even more to submit. Someday! Kimberly is was nice to get to know a little bit about you. Congrats again on all your cards being published and hope many more to come. Thanks for a chance at this sweeeeeet giveaway.

These cards are fab and I really enjoyed reading the interview, I love the designer paper peaches and I can see why you chose it as your fav.
Keep up the awesome work, and we shall continue to stalk you!.

I love Kimberly’s work and have followed for quite a while. I’ve had the privilege to have taken a class from her and she is just as sweet in person as what comes through in her interview! Her work always inspires and never intimidates!
Way to go Kimberly and I might just have to take that advice and submit something!

Thanks for sharing some of your life with us and I love your style…. and most of all Congratulations…… this is a beautiful stamps set and would love to win it…. thanks Paper Craft Connection for the chance….

I really like Kimberly’s thank you cards in Stamp It! Cards. While I have a ton of stamps, I don’t have any fruit stamps. Peaches and cherries have so many possibilities. Cherries are very popular right now. I would love to win a set.
Diana

WOW! I really like the introduction to people when I see some of their work it makes me feel like I know the person. Love the cards she made and thanks for the opportunity to win the stamps and a copy of the magazine.

Kimberly is an amazing talent and what’s even better is she is one of the nicest and most giving people you could ever want to meet. She is a true delight! I love her style and her creations are always wonderful. Congratulations to Kimberly!!!!!!

Thanks for the chance to win this most beautiful stamp set too! I love it.

Kimberly is one of the sweetest most genuine Designers around.
I am so glad she got this recognition!! she is always so helpful and her
work just speaks for itself. I defiantly enjoy seeing her things in your magazine. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next so inspiring 🙂

I was impressed by Kimberly’s work- simple but beautiful. I really like the cards with the peach and with the flowers. Often I spend time looking for paper to match something that I am working on instead of looking at what I have abd the inks that I have and making an element to match the paper that I was planning to use. Cute cards!,

Oh ladies, you are overwhleming me with your kindness and sweet words! I am so amazed!! This is what I love about stamping-the wonderful women! So supportive and inspiring!! Thank you everyone and thank you to Paper Crafts for this unbelievable feature!!!!
((((HUGS))))

GO KIMBERLY…you know I love your stuff, girl! So glad that you got to be interviewed today so we could see further into that creative mind of yours! PS…that peachy card was one of my faves in the entire magazine!

So awesome to see my sweet friend Kimberly here and her cards showcased!! Congratulations friend, you rock my socks off!!
(no need to enter me into the contest for the stamps, just wanted to congratulate my friend)

Kimberly’s blog is my “Calgon Take Me Away” minutes in each day! I loved reading her answers to yoru questions and enjoy each of her creations and new inspirations! She is missed in Minnesota already! sUSAn

I’ve always loved Kimberly’s style and follow her blog on Google Reader, so I was happy to see her cards in Stamp It! Congratulations, Kimberly! I especially loved your Pinecone card on page 82. I love Flourishes stamps and have a big wish list already! Thanks for the chance to win!

I just love Kimberly’s style. She is so creative and I can see why she has 12 cards in the new issue. Keep up the good work, I look forward to your future creations! Thanks for a chance to win some great stamps.

Yay for my wonderful friend Kim. This girl is the real deal people! I love her more than I can ever say and if it wasn’t for her encouragement I am not sure I would have ever had the courage to submit. She’d send me an email “submit, submit, submit” as soon as I posted a card. LOL. She’s a crazy fun amazing friend. Love you GF!

Great questions and answers! I really enjoyed looking at all those beautiful cards. That peaches and cherries stamp set looks tasty enough to eat, and it was so nice to see Kimberly’s creative use of them. Congrats to you, Kimberly on being the featured artist! You’re an inspiration!

Congratulations to Kimberly on the early success in her stamping career. I can certainly understand why she had so many cards chosen from her submissions, they are all amazing. Letterpress is a new technique to me, one I’ll have to explore after seeing her beautiful card. I hope I’m lucky enough to win Flourishe’s generous stamp set donations of the Peaches and Cherries stamp sets.

Congrat ,I love your card ,I really need to step out of my box and try new things that’s why I always look at all of the great artist out there and you are one of them.I love all your card they are wonderful.Thank you for sharing Hugs Sarah K

I could never imagine being published once…how awesome to have 12 cards in one magazine! I love Kimberly’s style and the “Live the Sweet Life” card she created…excited at the chance to win a set like the one she used to create it.

Using what I have is always a dilemma for me. I am forever trying to get the same things I see in something that inspires me. I am going to make a valiant effort to use what I have to make something inspired by Kimberly’s gorgeous card. Great blog Kimberly!

I enjoyed the interview with Kimberly and have bookmarked her site to check out when I’m done here. I just found your site and will spend some time wandering around here now and in the days and weeks to come.

I have admired Kimberly’s work since I first discovered her at the same time I discovered Papertrey Ink 2 years ago. This card is so beautiful. And I would love to own every one of these beautiful stamp sets.